Official Handover of BB705

On Friday 9 June 2023, Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, Deputy Defence Minister and CDRE Darron Kavanagh, Director General Warfare Innovation Branch joined Navy and guests for the official handover of Bluebottle 705 to RAN, being the 5th BB in the 5 boat order delivered under an AUSDEFCON contract signed on 24 November 2022.

Official Handover of BB705.

Speeches

Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP speaks at the handover of BB705 to Navy

CDRE Darron Kavanagh witnesses the delivery of BB705 to Navy

Media

• Defence Connect https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/12132-final-bluebottle-surveillance-craft-welcomed-to-navyfleet
• ADM https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/ocius-delivers-fifth-usv-to-navy

Sea Trials

Meanwhile, sea trials have continued for the first 4 boats off Jervis Bay and 705 will join them this week. I’d like to acknowledge all Ocius staff for doing an outstanding job again, this time delivering 5 Bluebottles on time and budget in 6 months for Navy and simultaneously doing operations in WA, Jervis Bay and Japan. It’s been a team effort with everyone contributing to make it happen.

Bluebottles 701,702,703 and 704 - sails down

Bluebottles 701,702,703 and 704 - sails up

Japan

Finally, our work off Japan has been suspended due to two cyclones passing through our area of operations. Bluebottle BEACON is safely back on shore awaiting its next steps.

Map from BB BEACON’s sonar and a view from our forward looking camera on a nice day

Robert Dane
CEO Ocius
15 June 2023